How severe is CVE-2018-0044?

CVE-2018-0044 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2018-0044 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (68th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2018-0044?

CVE-2018-0044 affects Juniper Junos. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2018-0044?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2018-0044 published?

CVE-2018-0044 was published on 2018-10-10 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2018-0044

CVE-2018-0044 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Juniper Junos with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-287.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 6.8
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (68th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-287
Affected product: Juniper Junos
Published: 2018-10-10
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

An insecure SSHD configuration in Juniper Device Manager (JDM) and host OS on Juniper NFX Series devices may allow remote unauthenticated access if any of the passwords on the system are empty. The affected SSHD configuration has the PermitEmptyPasswords option set to "yes". Affected releases are Juniper Networks Junos OS: 18.1 versions prior to 18.1R4 on NFX Series.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2018-0044?: An insecure SSHD configuration in Juniper Device Manager (JDM) and host OS on Juniper NFX Series devices may allow remote unauthenticated access if any of the passwords on the system are empty. The affected SSHD configuration has the PermitEmptyPasswords option set to "yes". Affected releases are Juniper Networks Junos OS: 18.1 versions prior to 18.1R4 on NFX Series.
How severe is CVE-2018-0044?: CVE-2018-0044 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2018-0044 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (68th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2018-0044?: CVE-2018-0044 affects Juniper Junos. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2018-0044?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2018-0044 published?: CVE-2018-0044 was published on 2018-10-10 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:o:juniper:junos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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